Karzai Asks U.S. Forces To Leave Key Afghan Province

by: February 24, 2013

We’re getting word that Afghan President Hamid Karzai has ordered U.S. special forces to leave Wardak Province within two weeks amid allegation of torture and disappearances centering on Afghans who are part of the U.S. forces.

“There are some individuals, some Afghans, who are working within these cells, within these [U.S.] special forces groups,” said Aimal Faizi, a spokesman for Karzai. “But they are part of US special forces according to our sources and according to our local officials working in the province.”

“These Afghan units are facing allegations of involvement torture and disappearances, says the BBC’s Karen Allen in Kabul. A preliminary investigation also blamed them for beheading a university student in the province.

“Wardak is seen as a gateway for the Taliban to target Kabul, our correspondent adds.

“The accountability of US forces and local militia working with them has been a growing source of friction in Afghan-US relations.”

The BBC says that the central province has been the focus of recent counterinsurgency operations.